CalWORKs EBT card still active after mom passed away - reported death but CalFresh benefits loaded

the same thing happend to me when my aunt passed. they loaded her card for like 2 monthes after!!! i just cut the card up and didnt use it. when i brought in death certificate they didnt say nothing about paying anything back it was there mistake not yours

I'm so sorry for your loss. You're doing the right thing by being proactive about this situation. When someone on benefits passes away, you should: 1. Report the death (which you already did - good job) 2. Provide the death certificate to the county office (bring original + copy) 3. Return the EBT card when you bring in the certificate The benefits were likely loaded automatically because the case hadn't been officially closed yet. This happens frequently in the system. Since you reported it promptly and haven't used the benefits, you shouldn't face any penalties. The EBT card should be surrendered when you bring in the documentation.

I went through this with my grandma last year. The county worker told me its actually FRAUD if benefits get used after someone dies even if the county loads them by mistake!! Make sure you don't touch that money and definitely don't throw away the card without turning it in. I had to sign a form saying I wouldn't use the benefits when I brought in her death certificate.

You did the right thing by reporting it right away. What's happening is that CalFresh benefits are often pre-authorized before their actual issuance date, so even though you reported the death, the month's benefits had already been queued up in the system. Here's what you should do: 1. Bring the death certificate to your county office along with the EBT card 2. Ask for a receipt showing you returned the card 3. Request written confirmation that you properly reported the death You won't be asked to repay benefits that were incorrectly issued after you reported the death. The system can take time to process changes, but since you have proof that you reported it promptly, you're protected. By the way, I'm sorry about your mom. Don't worry too much about this - it's a common administrative issue.

Trying to get through to the CalWORKs office on the phone is nearly impossible these days. I tried calling about my own case for three days straight and kept getting disconnected. Finally used Claimyr.com to get through - they hold your place in line and call you back when a real person is available. I watched their demo video (https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE) and it worked exactly like they said. Saved me hours of frustration. You might want to try that to get this sorted out faster instead of waiting for an in-person appointment.

Yo just an FYI you might be eligible for the $255 death benefit from Social Security to help with funeral costs if your mom was getting SSI too. My cousin had to deal with all this last yr when her mom passed. Also check if there was any cash aid left on the EBT too cuz thats different from the food benefits.

the county takes FOREVER to process anything i swear. my address change took like 3 months to update in there system even tho i reported it right away. dont stress urself out about this, u did everything right

my condolences on ur loss 😢 when my father passed it took a lot of paperwork to get everything sorted with all his benefits. bring multiple copies of the death certificate because different departments might need their own copy

Just a follow-up thought - make sure you're keeping detailed notes of who you talk to (names, ID numbers if they provide them), dates, and what was discussed. This creates a paper trail showing your good-faith efforts to resolve the situation properly, which protects you in case there are any questions later. Most county workers are understanding about these situations, especially when you're being proactive and honest.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Going through this kind of administrative confusion while grieving is the last thing you need. I went through something similar when my dad passed - the system just doesn't move fast enough sometimes. One thing that helped me was calling the EBT customer service line (1-877-328-9677) to check the exact balance and transaction history on the card. They can also put a note on the account that the cardholder is deceased while you're waiting to get to the county office. It's not a substitute for the official process, but it creates another record that you're handling this properly. You're absolutely doing everything right by not using the benefits and being proactive about reporting everything. The county deals with this situation regularly, so don't worry about them thinking you're trying to scam anyone. Your honesty and quick reporting will be clear from their records.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Jean Claude. What you're going through is incredibly difficult, and dealing with bureaucratic issues on top of grief is just overwhelming. I wanted to add that if you need to check the card balance before going to the county office, you can call the EBT customer service line at 1-877-328-9677 or check online at ebt.ca.gov. This way you'll know exactly what benefits were loaded and can provide that information when you meet with the caseworker. Also, when you do go to the county office, consider asking if they can give you a case closure letter or some kind of official documentation showing the case was closed due to death. This can be helpful if you need it for other agencies or services that might still have your mom in their system. You've handled everything exactly right - reporting immediately and not touching the benefits shows your integrity during an already heartbreaking time. The county workers will see that in your case notes and appreciate your honesty.